The two had reportedly taken shelter under the cave after the heavy snowfall while herding their cattle but witnessed such a tragic moment as the huge stones fell down the hill, Deputy Superintendent of Armed Police Force, Nepal Darshan Giri said.

Inspector of the Armed Police Force, Nepal Laxman Bahadur Basnet-led team recovered the dead bodies five days after the incident. A large number of police personnel were deployed for the rescue operations.

Likewise, all cattle except four out of 260 cattle were also killed after being buried in the same landslide, the rescue team shared.

Shrestha died on the spot while Rai breathed his last on the way to a hospital in Hetauda, police added. The tractor (Na 6 Ta 442) was heading to Sindhuli district from Phawarbari in Makawanpur by supplying construction materials.

Those seriously hurt in the incident are Shivamaya Magar, Shakti Rai, Mohan Rai, Krishna Rai and Tilak Rai. The incident site is near Makawanpur-Sindhuli border along Dharan-Chatara road section.